Since 2006, R8 has become the top dog in Audi’s performance lineup. Powered by a 5.2 liter V-10 engine shared with the Italian company brother Lamborghini Huracan, the R8 remains one of the most exciting and liveable supercars available on the market. After a decade and a half, it’s time to say goodbye to the venerable V-10, but Audi’s chiefs aren’t about to send it in the dustbin of history without a proper goodbye. So welcome R8 GT limited edition – alpha among the top dogs.
Full disclosure: Audi wanted me to test drive the R8 GT, the company took me to Seville, Spain, which is much warmer than my hometown in Colorado, and dropped me off on a local track to burn through a bunch of tires for the day. .
limited to 333 pcs worldwide – of course numbered with a medal on the gear lever; only 150 will make it to the US – the R8 GT is hand-assembled at the Böllinger Höfe factory, which happens to be the same production line Audi’s fierce R8 LMS race car. Coincident? I think not. Audi wanted to make sure that the final V-10 was remembered as the closest thing to a street race car the brand had ever produced.
2023 Audi R8 GT: What is it?
At the heart of the R8 GT is, of course, the 5.2-liter V-10, the same engine that powers the performance R8 V-10 RWD. That car makes 562 horsepower. Upgrading to the R8 GT gets you a massive 40 hp boost, bringing it to 602 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful rear-wheel drive Audi has ever produced.
The V-10 powers it through a new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Not only are shift times improved compared to standard car transmissions, but individual gear ratios have also been shortened to improve acceleration at all speeds.
Supporting the acceleration unit, Audi engineers have tried every possible way to reduce the weight of the car. Weight-saving measures include racing car GT3– Engine-inspired lightweight forged wheels, standard carbon-ceramic brakes, lightweight bucket seats and a sports suspension with carbon fiber-reinforced plastic anti-roll bars. These measures resulted in an overall net savings of 55 pounds, reducing curb weight to 3,516 pounds.
More power, faster gearshifts and lighter weight mean the new R8 GT can hit 60 mph in 3.3 seconds with a top speed of 199 mph.
2023 Audi R8 GT: Rear Torque Mode and Aviation Complement
The R8 GT has the same power as the fastest all-wheel-drive R8, but sends all the power to the rear axle. To take full control of that power — or get the most out of those horses — Audi has equipped the R8 GT with a Rear Torque mode.
A knob on the steering wheel lets you choose from seven traction control settings. Level 1 barely allows slippage, while Level 7 lets you indulge in lavish tire punishment. This function also allows you to adapt the car and its powerful output, as your familiarity, road conditions and driving skills develop.
It is clear that Audi wants these cars to be driven to the fullest. All that power needs some control, and Audi engineers are happy to accommodate. The GT comes with a carbon fiber aero kit fitted as standard, which includes a front splitter, a diving plane in the front bumper, side skirts, side panels that control airflow on the rear bumper. , diffuser and rear spoiler with sports car-inspired gooseneck mounts to maintain optimal airflow.
2023 Audi R8 GT: Impressive track
As I said, the Audi engineers expect these cars to be driven hard and I don’t want to disappoint them. That’s how our team of reporters got to Circuito Monteblanco, a great little test track just outside of Seville, Spain.
Monteblanco has one of the highest FIA-rated tracks of any track in Europe (FIA T1/F2), meaning it’s approved to host everything. including Formula 1 . testing. It’s a combination of high-speed sweepers and low-speed hairpins to test the mettle of even the best race cars, exposing flaws that can remain hidden on a track. less.
What made things more difficult for the R8 GT was the sudden light rain that hit just before we were about to hit the track. Luckily, our first few laps took the lead behind one of the Audi test drivers, allowing us to get a feel for the track’s grip and the car’s balance. Power exceeding 600 horses on slippery roads isn’t what inspires the most confidence — for us drivers or the brasses Audi has assembled.
No need to worry, because the GT is so powerful, it’s also one of the most accessible supercars I’ve ever driven. You’d think there would be a handful of people trying to reduce power so much in wet conditions, but the Audi engineers got it right with the GT, allowing me to push harder and harder on the never-ending track. completely dry now.
Luckily, we were able to join another session later in the day, when the track was completely dry, allowing me to really start testing the car’s limits. And those limits are very, very high.
With Rear Torque at Level 1, the car allows very little wheel spin, essentially saving you from doing anything silly. Level 7 basically says “you are alone, good luck,” giving you the ability to go sideways without any electronic intervention.
Regardless of which level you choose, you can still spin the car (it has 600+ horses after all), but the system does a great job of giving the rider a good distance to play before things go too far. distant.
2023 Audi R8 GT: Styling
The R8 GT 2023 pays tribute to the original 2012 R8 GT through a black interior with red accents and distinctive embroidery on the seats. The new R8 GT is only available in three colors in the US: Tango Red, Daytona Gray and Mythos Black. In total, only 150 will be shipped to the US, 50 for each of those paint colors; Unfortunately, the Suzuka matte gray paintwork on the media test cars won’t be here, but US buyers will get a bonus: Sports exhaust pipes, louder than what’s available. available on vehicles in the European market due to more stringent European regulations. Additional standard equipment includes laser headlights; carbon fiber mirrors, side skirts and sills; Clothesline; Bang & Olufsen sound system; and a diamond stitched header.
2023 Audi R8 GT: Price and review
The R8 has always been one of the most used cars in its category. It’s one of the few supercars you can drive every day without sacrificing. The GT version will be rare no matter where you are in the world, and at over $250,000, it’s $90,000 more expensive than the GT version. a base rear-wheel drive R8.
But the magic is in the details. The R8 GT elevates performance many levels, but never loses the accessibility and usability that have always characterized this vehicle. It’s the alpha dog in the Audi lineup, and it barks loudly, but it never wants to bite. It’s a very fitting welcome for the R8 series, and those lucky enough to own one will hopefully take the time to experience this car at what it does best.
